Tuesday, May 9, 2023

National Golf Day and New Economic Impact Study

The American Golf Industry Coalition, which represents a partnership among golf’s leading organizations, is celebrating the 15th annual National Golf Day today. The event includes hundreds of representatives who have gathered to reinforce golf’s economic, societal, environmental, and health contributions through more than 200 meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs.

The Coalition is also releasing a new national Economic Impact Study, which shows golf’s growth in popularity as a recreational activity with roughly 1 in 7 people participating and a $102 billion direct economic impact in 2022, an increase of 20% over its $84 billion direct impact in 2016.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Golfing Dad

Golf Simulators continue to gain popularity in residential and commercial spaces.

And with prices the best they've ever been, this might be the ideal time to splurge on dad and get him something for Father's Day he'll use forever.

Can K.H. Lee Join the Elite PGA Three-Peat Crew

The PGA Tour touches down in McKinney this week for the AT&T Byron Nelson, the final tune-up for players ahead of next week's PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club.

Before we dive into the PGA Championship, history could be made as K.H. Lee won both editions of the tournament held at TPC Craig Ranch, and this week goes for the three-peat.

Cobra PUMA Golf Introduces 2023 Volition America AeroJet Drivers, Apparel, and Footwear

COBRA PUMA GOLF today announced the 2023 Volition America assortment of patriotic apparel, footwear and accessories, along with new, Limited Edition Aerojet Drivers.

The PUMA x Volition America Collection brings red, white and blue to the course in the form of patriotic patterns, hi-tech materials, and innovative designs, all of which are aimed at honoring US military veterans. A portion of the proceeds from the Volition line will go directly to Folds of Honor Foundation to support the families of American military heroes.

PGA National Resort Unveils Spectacular Getaways

PGA National Resort – South Florida’s world-class golf, vacation, culinary, family, events and spa destination now showcasing the luxurious upgrades of its recent $100 million renovation – is offering exceptional summer experiences catered to golf group getaways as well as those planning holiday vacations for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, the Fourth of July and special summer occasions in the coming months.

Starting at $441 (per person, per day, double occupancy), the wildly popular  “Gold Golf Experience” experience showcases the incredible array of courses at PGA National Resort and includes one round of golf daily on The Fazio, The Match, The Estate, The Champion (with surcharge) or The Palmer (with surcharge) layouts along with luxury accommodations.

True Spec Opens Second Location in New Jersey at Liberty National Golf Club

True Spec Golf, the global leader in custom club fitting and club building, announced that they have partnered with Liberty National Golf Club to open their second location in the Garden State.

Located just three miles across the Hudson River from New York City, True Spec Liberty National will be open to the public on May 23rd. It is the latest undertaking in a series of partnerships that brings True Spec’s bespoke fittings and best-in-class customer service to prominent clubs and resorts across the country, and is now the second location in the state, joining True Spec New Jersey at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson.

AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Range: Aon Risk Reward Challenge

The AT&T Byron Nelson has yielded many low scores since moving to TPC Craig Ranch two years ago, with 20 players finishing the tournament 20-under or better in that span. In order to keep pace, players are encouraged to seize upon every birdie opportunity they have – the 14th hole being a good one.

Players who go for the green with their drive at this short par 4 have made birdie or eagle 14% more often than players who lay up. The best finishers have used this insight to their advantage: players in the top-10 at this event go for the green about 73% of the time – the rest of the field, just 52.4%.

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Tom Doak and Pinehurst Resort Release Must See 10th Course Update Video

For those awaiting an update on the 10th course at Pinehurst Resort, the wait is over. To quote Doak, “It is going pretty fast. We’re pretty quick on shaping greens.” Not only shaping greens, but turfing green complexes, fairways, tees boxes and more. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a 2:30 video might be worth 10,000.

Check out Pinehurst Resort’s just-released video featuring numerous drone shots of the 10th course and invaluable insights from Doak about the front nine, back nine, terrain and timing. Landscape architect Angela Moser is the lead design associate and has been heavily involved in all day-to-day operations. Moser’s impressive credentials include work at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, which will host the 123rd U.S. Open next month.

Korda, Ko, and Eight of the Top 10 Players in the Rolex World Rankings Headline Field in Inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club

Mizuho Americas, the Americas arm of one of the largest financial institutions in the world, and new title sponsor on the LPGA Tour, today announced World #1 Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko and 8 of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will headline the field at the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open, taking place May 31 – June 4 at the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ.

In addition to one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, 24 of the top 26 juniors in the Rolex AJGA Girls Rankings, including New Jersey’s Top-Ranked Junior golfer Katie Li (Basking Ridge), will also be competing at Liberty National, as the Mizuho Americas Open will concurrently host the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) Invitational.

Bridgestone Golf President and CEO Dan Murphy to Speak at National Club Conference

The National Club Association, representing private clubs throughout the U.S., today announced Dan Murphy, president & CEO of Bridgestone Golf, will speak at its 2023 National Club Conference, May 7-9 in Chicago.

Murphy will address attendees, who are leaders of top private clubs throughout the U.S., on “A Manufacturing View of Golf.”

Firethorne Country Club to Host Grand Opening Celebrating Completion of Renovations

Invited, the worldwide leader in private clubs and formerly known as ClubCorp, is pleased to announce the grand opening of the renovated golf course at Firethorne Country Club on Tuesday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The club invested in a significant renovation project for the ninth hole, as well as the creation of a new short game practice area.

The grand opening of the reimagined ninth hole and short game area will feature a collection of contests and clinics for members to participate in, including one where the winner will earn the right to hit the inaugural chip shop in the new practice area. Additionally, there will be a DJ, food stations, beer and wine, a balloon artist and games for children to enhance the experience for members and celebrate a new chapter for the club.

Major Champions and Global Superstars Set Sights on Oklahoma for LIV Golf Tulsa

Fresh off a successful stretch of tournaments in Australia and Singapore that featured massive crowds, multiple holes-in-one, a playoff finish and the first back-to-back individual winner in league history, LIV Golf will bring its star-studded lineup to Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for LIV Golf Tulsa, May 12-14.

Showcasing many of the sport’s biggest names, LIV Golf’s 12 teams are led by the likes of four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, reigning Open Champion Cameron Smith, World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia and 2020 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. More than a quarter (13) of the league’s global field are major champions, with 24 major victories amongst them. The field of 48 players represents 16 different nations, includes 18 Olympians, and has made 125 combined appearances in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, with more than half of the league having competed in the biennial team events. In total, LIV Golf League players have amassed 533 worldwide wins across multiple tours, and four players have held the title of World No. 1.

Only 53 percent of Active Players on PGA Tour have a Hole-In-One

Stepping up to the tee on a par-3, taking dead aim at the flag, and draining a hole-in-one. It’s a dream scenario for the common golfer.

Meanwhile, nearly every week it seems as if there’s a PGA Tour pro hitting a hole-in-one.  But how many Tour golfers actually have a hole-in-one on their resume?

Friday, May 5, 2023

Pasatiempo Golf Course Offering Fantastic Deals on Tee Times During Restoration

Pasatiempo Golf Course restoration project to restore the greens and bunker complexes to their original 1929 Alister MacKenzie design is well underway. Hole Nos. 1 through 9 are set to be restores first.

During this time, Pasatiempo is offering limited availability to play the iconic back nine. Nine hole morning rounds are available at a rate of $150, or the option to play 18 holes in the afternoon at a rate of $275, which is $130 off the standard rate. Both rates include a golf cart.

NBC Sports to Present Nearly 150 Hours of Live USGA Championship Coverage in 2023

NBC Sports will present nearly 150 hours of live USGA championship coverage in 2023 across NBC, Peacock, USA Network and GOLF Channel, beginning Thursday, June 15, with the first round of the 123rd U.S. Open from The Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif.

This year’s USGA championship coverage is also highlighted by the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 6-9. For the first time ever, NBC will present live primetime coverage of the third and final rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Club Champion Launches Military + First Responder Program

Club Champion is celebrating Law Enforcement and Military Appreciation Month by introducing their Military + First Responder program! Military and first responder personnel including police, firefighters, and EMS can now receive 10% off of Club Champion-built clubheads, shafts, and grips at all Club Champion and TXG locations in North America when proof of employment or veteran status is presented.

“We love our frontline workers — we even have veterans and former first responders among the ranks in our stores who have chosen a new career in golf,” said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion’s founder. “May is Law Enforcement and Military Appreciation Month, so I can’t think of a better time to introduce this new program to golfers of all experience levels.”

Tour Edge Exotics in the Bag for 22nd PGA Tour Champions Victory at The Insperity Invitational

Tour Edge, the pound-for-pound industry leader in performance and innovation, experienced their 22nd PGA TOUR Champions victory Sunday at the Insperity Invitational in The Woodlands, TX.

The 2022 Schwab Cup champion had a 22-degree Exotics C721 Hybrid in the bag for the four-shot victory that saw him successfully defend his Insperity title from last year. 

Motocaddy Named UK's Top Selling Electric Caddy Brand

Motocaddy has been named as the top-selling electric caddy brand in 2022, growing its UK market share by over a third (35%) compared to the previous year and selling almost 12% more models than its nearest competitor.

According to sales figures released by golf industry research specialists Golf Datatech*, the world’s leading electric caddy brand also ranked #1 with on-course retailers last year. Reliable high-performance Motocaddy models outsold those of its nearest rival by almost 13% through green grass accounts across the country.

LPGA JM Eagle LA Champion Played Graphite Design Tour AD DI Shaft

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the LPGA JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro tournament held at Wilshire Country Club, Los Angeles, CA was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6 SR (Stiff Regular) flex wood shaft in her Titleist #5 Fairway metal wood.

“Congratulations to the winner of the JM Eagle LA Championship.  What an awesome playoff victory and we are so excited she plays a Graphite Design Tour AD shaft”, stated Wayne Ageno, President, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

Callaway Apparel Welcomes New 2023 Brand Ambassadors

Callaway Apparel is pleased to announce the signing of PGA TOUR professionals Harry Hall and Brian Stuard as new brand ambassadors, joining current staffer and LPGA professional Emma Talley.

“We are proud to have these two talented golfers joining Callaway Apparel as brand ambassadors,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International. “Harry and Brian are a perfect combination of a young star on the rise and an established veteran and we look forward to supporting them as they perform on the PGA TOUR.  Along with Emma Talley, Callaway Apparel is also worn by dozens of the world’s best players on the PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, PGA TOUR Champions and developmental tours.”